

This testbed will allow for end-to-end testing of an application under realistic link conditions. Certification for safety critical use recommends validating that all code has been executed during test and such inspection is best done using dynamic analysis tools. During execution of tests the tool measures coverage directly in the code to make sure that test execution covers critical code. Source code of the application is instrumented to provide data on the actual execution in a coverage report. This also implies suggestions for missing test cases to cover all code.

The last element of the concept illustrated below is a test manager for automatic running test cases. It interacts with application and server for the functional testing by simulating user interaction, observing data displayed and controlling server data. Robustness to environmental challenges like satellite link impairments, handovers or even satellite link drops are also controlled by the test manager using satellite link emulator.
In the illustration you see a concept for a test environment combining end-to-end testing and visibility into code coverage of your test. The vision is a fully automated environment executing exactly the tests needed to verify the application.
Aero safety experts such as Afuzion have many years of experience in this field and has written a very informative whitepaper on the subject. The ‘DO-178C Best Practices – For Engineers and Managers’ whitepaper guides application developers on how to develop compliant and safe aero solutions. Click here, to go to whitepaper. For more information about AFuzion click here.
For more information on end-to-end-testing of satcom enabled applications in aircrafts please contact our Product Manger Svend Holme Sørensen at shs@gatehouse.com or telephone +45 3030 4648.